Showing posts with label rehearsal space. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rehearsal space. Show all posts

Monday, October 14, 2024

The practicalities of running a singing event: 7 tips for absolute beginners

When talking about choir rehearsals or singing workshops, the emphasis is always on the musical skills involved: teaching, conducting, vocal training, etc.

But if you don’t get the basic practical elements right, then the singing event won’t work.

Monday, July 08, 2024

Vital information when using a new space for singing

I used a new space for a singing workshop recently and realised (too late) that I’d forgotten a few practical things.

photo by Joshua Morley

I thought I’d list some of them here to you can avoid the same mistake.

Monday, August 21, 2023

Which direction does your choir face?

Do your singers always face the same direction in your rehearsal space? What about outdoor performances?

Maybe it’s something you’ve not thought about, or have just got into a habit without much analysis.

Monday, October 11, 2021

How to stop viruses spreading at choir – ventilate, ventilate, ventilate

Many of us feel that we have become seriously over-informed about aerosols, droplets and other Covid issues.

But the silver lining is that we are now far more aware of how to help prevent winter colds and flu in our choirs (and Covid of course).

Monday, August 03, 2020

How to make plans for your choir when the future is uncertain

The socially-distanced reopening of indoor performances in England was due to take place last Saturday, but the government has now postponed it for at least another two weeks.

With circumstances changing so frequently, how do you prepare for future concerts and rehearsals?

Monday, October 07, 2019

Strategies for coping with too many singers in your choir

Last week I asked Can you have too many singers in your choir? and gave several reasons why this might be the case.



This week I want to look at strategies for overcoming these.

Monday, September 16, 2019

How to squeeze singers into a rehearsal space that’s too small

It’s not something that happens out of choice, but sometimes we end up with too many singers for the rehearsal space available.


photo by Bryan Ledgard

Here are some ideas on how to deal with the situation.

Monday, July 29, 2019

Dreaming of the perfect choir (a light-hearted fantasy)

Last night I dreamt of leading a choir where everyone turned up on time every week fully prepared.



Unfortunately it was only a dream, but it got me thinking: what would the dream choir be like for choir leaders and for singers?

Monday, August 13, 2018

How to cope with singing in the heat

There’s been a real heatwave across Europe this summer. Which is great for those on holiday, but can be a bit much when we have to sing in such heat.

cooling_off

Here are a few things that might help you cope with the heat whilst singing.

Monday, February 19, 2018

Making the space work for you – how to cope with unusual venues

I have run several singing workshops recently in less-than-ideal spaces.

Contemporary-Building

Rather than being a problem, I found ways to embrace the situation. Here are some ideas you might find useful.

Monday, February 12, 2018

Leading your first ever singing group – a complete beginner’s guide

I am often asked for advice from people who want to start a singing group, but have absolutely no experience.

kids singing
photo by The U.S. Army

Or sometimes people have been asked to start a workplace choir or to take over their church choir activities. Here are some tips to get you started.

Monday, July 11, 2016

“This is the right space, and these are the right people” – working with the singers you’ve got, not those you hoped for

A singing session is coming up and you’re excited. It will be in a grand hall with loads of singers!

Urban_Explorer_in_the_entrance_of_technical_gallery
photo by Pierre-Henry Muller

But the day comes and it’s a tiny space and only a handful turn up. How can you manage your expectations and work with what you’ve got?

Sunday, September 29, 2013

How to set up a choir if you’re not a choir leader PART 2

Last week, Angela Gracey wrote about the first two key stages of the five involved in setting up a choir: getting organised and having a plan.

choral conducting
photo by Joe Strupek

This week she looks at the remaining key stages: finances, finding someone to lead your choir and your first performance and beyond.

Sunday, March 03, 2013

Size matters: how to work effectively with large choirs

If I get 30 singers on one of my weekend workshops someone will say “Gosh, what a large group!” whilst another says “Quite low numbers then.”

massed choir
photo by tsheko

‘Large’ is in the eye of the beholder. But however you define it, working with a large group has its own problems.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

It’s too hot to sing! – choosing the right space to work in

Summer has finally arrived in the UK. We’ve been praying for sunshine for so long, but now it’s just a little TOO hot (30deg C)!

too hot
Photo by enfad

Too hot to do anything really other than lay under a shady tree sipping Pimms. Certainly too hot to sing.